Department of Agriculture 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are amending the Animal Welfare Act regulations to include more specific requirements in the regulations concerning the submission of itineraries by any person who is subject to the Animal Welfare Act regulations and who intends to exhibit any animal at any location other than the person's approved site when travel will extend overnight. APHIS inspectors need access to animals, facilities, and records for unannounced inspections when animals are exhibited at a location other than at a regulated person's approved site to improve compliance with the regulations and the Animal Welfare Act.

This notice announces the availability of new data standards required to generate an official interstate certificate of veterinary inspection (ICVI). The data standards would define the minimum data elements required to generate an ICVI using an electronic data system, outline the methods by which data can be shared between participating systems, and provide methods of approving data systems for data quality control. We are making these standards available for public review and comment.

Federal subsistence regulations require that the rural or nonrural status of communities or areas be reviewed every 10 years. In 2009, the Secretary of the Interior initiated a review of the Federal Subsistence Management Program. An ensuing directive was for the Federal Subsistence Board (Board) to review its process for determining the rural and nonrural status of communities. As a result, the Board has initiated a review of the rural determination process and is requesting comments from the public. These comments will be used by the Board, coordinating with the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture, to assist in making decisions regarding the scope and nature of possible changes to improve the rural determination process.

We are giving notice that the Secretary of Agriculture will extend the time to submit nominations and applications to serve on the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers (the ``Committee'') for an additional term of 2 years through December 14, 2014. This will give interested persons additional time to prepare and submit nomination packages.

The designations of the official agencies listed below will end on June 30, 2013. We are asking persons or governmental agencies interested in providing official services in the areas presently served by these agencies to submit an application for designation. In addition, we are asking for comments on the quality of services provided by the following designated agencies: East Indiana Grain Inspection, Inc. (East Indiana); Fremont Grain Inspection Department, Inc. (Fremont); Maryland Department of Agriculture (Maryland); and Titus Grain Inspection, Inc. (Titus).

Champaign-Danville Grain Inspection Department, Inc.'s (Champaign) geographical territory is amended to include the area previously designated to Springfield Grain Inspection, Inc. (Springfield). Champaign purchased Springfield effective October 4, 2012 and met the requirements specified in 7 CFR 800.196(f)(2). In view of this, we are providing an additional opportunity to apply for designation for Champaign's amended geographical territory. The designation of Champaign will end on March 31, 2013. We are asking persons or government agencies interested in providing official services in the areas presently served by this agency to submit an application for designation. In addition, we are providing an additional opportunity for comments on the quality of services provided by Champaign.

Notice is hereby given that the Secretary of Agriculture has reestablished the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) Grain Inspection Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee). The Secretary of Agriculture has determined that the Advisory Committee is necessary and in the public interest.

This rule revises the quantity of Class 1 (Scotch) and Class 3 (Native) spearmint oil that handlers may purchase from, or handle on behalf of, producers during the 2012-2013 marketing year under the Far West spearmint oil marketing order. This rule increases the Scotch spearmint oil salable quantity from 782,413 pounds to 2,622,115 pounds, and the allotment percentage from 38 percent to 128 percent. In addition, this rule increases the Native spearmint oil salable quantity from 1,162,473 pounds to 1,348,270 pounds, and the allotment percentage from 50 percent to 58 percent. The marketing order regulates the handling of spearmint oil produced in the Far West and is administered locally by the Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee (Committee). The Committee recommended this rule for the purpose of maintaining orderly marketing conditions in the Far West spearmint oil market.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) invites comments on this information collection for which approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will be requested.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. App.), this notice announces that the Secretary of Agriculture intends to renew the Plant Variety Protection Board (PVP Board) Charter.

The Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board will meet in Rapid City, South Dakota. The Board is established consistent with the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C. App. II) (FACA); and the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1600 et.seq.) (RPA); the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 1612) (NFMA), and the Federal Public Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (Pub. L. 108-447) (REA). The purpose of the Board is to provide advice and recommendations on a broad range of forest issues such as forest plan revisions or amendments, forest health including fire and mountain pine beetle epidemics, travel management, forest monitoring and evaluation, recreation fees, and site-specific projects having forest-wide implications. The meeting is open to the public. The purpose of the meeting is: (1) To accomplish the required annual Ethics Training; (2) to provide an update on the Sheridan Lake Valve Situation; (3) to provide an update on the Record of Decision for the Mountain Pine Beetle Response Project; and (4) to review Travel Management Plan Goals and Implementation for the purpose of planning fee schedules and program for the year 2014.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other interested parties to comment on a proposed information collection. This collection is an extension, without change, of a currently approved collection. This information collection will conduct research in support of FNS' goal of delivering science-based nutrition education to targeted audiences. From development through testing of materials and tools with the target audience, FNS plans to conduct data collections that involve formative research including focus groups, interviews (dyad, triad, telephone, etc.), surveys and Web-based collection tools.

We are amending the fruits and vegetables regulations to allow the importation of sand pears (Pyrus pyrifolia) from China into the United States. As a condition of entry, sand pears from areas in China in which the Oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) is not known to exist will have to be produced in accordance with a systems approach that includes requirements for registration of places of production and packinghouses, sourcing of pest-free propagative material, inspection for quarantine pests at set intervals by the national plant protection organization of China, bagging of fruit, safeguarding, labeling, and importation in commercial consignments. Sand pears from areas in China in which Oriental fruit fly is known to exist may be imported into the United States if, in addition to these requirements, the places of production and packinghouses have a monitoring system in place for Oriental fruit fly and the pears are treated with cold treatment. All sand pears from China will also be required to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with an additional declaration stating that all conditions for the importation of the pears have been met and that the consignment of pears has been inspected and found free of quarantine pests. This action will allow for the importation of sand pears from China into the United States while continuing to provide protection against the introduction of quarantine pests.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to request revision and extension of a currently approved information collection, the Generic Clearance for Survey Research Studies. Revision to burden hours will be needed due to changes in the size of the target population, sampling design, and/or questionnaire length.

In June of 2003, the Dakota Prairie Grasslands Record of Decision for Oil and Gas Leasing on the Little Missouri and Cedar River National Grasslands was signed. This decision spelled out leasing stipulations, consistent with the Revised Dakota Prairie Grasslands Land and Resource Management Plan, based on the 2001 Northern Great Plains Management Plans Revision FEIS which included a Reasonably Foreseeable Development Scenario (RFDS) for Oil and Gas for the Little Missouri and Cedar River National Grasslands. In the 11 years since the analysis was completed there has been a change in the manner in which oil and gas development has occurred on the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, primarily that multiple (4-6) wells can be drilled from a single well pad rather than just one; as was most common in the past. The improvements in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies to improve the ability to access oil and gas located deep underground are the primary reasons for these changes in development. At this time it is necessary to review the analysis to determine whether or not the effects of the changed pattern of oil and gas development are different from those effects considered in the 2001 FEIS, and whether or not there is a need to change Land and Resource Management Plan standards and guidelines (and possibly leasing stipulations) in order to continue oil and gas development on the Little Missouri and Cedar River National Grassland units of the Dakota Prairie Grasslands.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to request a revision for a currently approved information collection in support of the CCC's Dairy Export Incentive Program (DEIP) based on re-estimates. Although the Export Enhancement Program (EEP) was repealed by the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, the regulations for EEP, found at 7 CFR part 1494, subpart B, also apply to the DEIP. The request for revision of this information collection applies only to DEIP.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the revision of a currently approved information collection, OMB 0596-0217, Federal and Non-Federal Financial Assistant Instruments.

The USDA Forest Service published a document in the Federal Register of November 27, 2012, concerning requests for comments on the proposed grazing allotments and dates of document availability. The document contained incorrect dates.

Deciding Officers in the Southern Region will publish notice of decisions subject to administrative appeal under 36 CFR parts 215 and 219 in the legal notice section of the newspapers listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice. The Southern Region consists of Alabama, Kentucky, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico. As provided in 36 CFR 215.5 and Appendix A to 36 CFR 219.35 the public shall be advised through Federal Register notice, of the newspaper of record to be utilized for publishing legal notice of decisions. Newspaper publication of notice of decisions is in addition to direct notice of decisions to those who have requested it and to those who have participated in project planning. Responsible Officials in the Southern Region will also publish notice of proposed actions under 36 CFR 215.5 in the newspapers that are listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice. As provided in 36 CFR 215.5, the public shall be advised, through Federal Register notice, of the newspaper of record to be utilized for publishing notices on proposed actions. Additionally, the Deciding Officers in the Southern Region will publish notice of the opportunity to object to a proposed authorized hazardous fuel reduction project under 36 CFR 218.4 or developing, amending or revising land management plans under 36 CFR part 219 in the legal notice section of the newspapers listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on an extension of a currently approved information collection associated with Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation certification requirements. This information is collected in support of the conservation compliance provisions of Title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (the 1985 Farm Bill), as amended by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill).

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the USDA Forest Service and certain Department of Interior agencies are seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the revision of a currently approved information collection, OMB 0596- 0084, Youth Conservation Corps Application and Medical History. The collected information will help agencies evaluate the employment eligibility of youth 15 to 18 years old through the Youth Conservation Corps Program. Under the Program, Federal agencies provide seasonal employment for youth.